Few joined The Scott Van Pelt Show with Ryen Russilo to talk about just how gratifying it’s been to see his team get to where it’s at considering the sluggish start to the season, how he actually believes this has been the most rewarding year during his tenure as Gonzaga’s coach, how the Bulldogs’ improved defense played a large role in the turnaround, what other factors contributed to Gonzaga finding its groove in the new calendar year, and how he’s a bit wary of facing a team in the Big Dance that presses for 40 minutes only because that’s the only style of play that Gonzaga has yet to really face.

Whether he wondered how could his team could be after a rough 4-5 start to the season:

“Oh absolutely. You always have a vision. And at Gonzaga, you always see yourself winning the conference and the conference tournament, and advancing in the NCAAs. But this was one of those years where even the most positive of us thinkers, the doubt started to creep in. But I really give this group a lot of credit. I mean, this is our 13th straight NCAA, but this one just feels like the sweetest because we had to come a long way, we had to dig ourselves out of a deep hole.”

So he’d say this year has been the most rewarding during his successful tenure at Gonzaga?

“Yeah it really does. And that’s not taking anything away. We’ve had great teams, and great players, and so much fun, so many memories. But I didn’t know that we’d be here back in the middle of November. This group is really resilient, they held up. I put them through a brutal non-conference schedule, probably too brutal. It beat us up a little bit, but they stayed positive and stayed with it and really figured out a way to toughen up and dig out wins. And we were playing a little bit differently than maybe we were in the past. We really defended well and kind of leaned on our defense and our rebounding and just got through on offense.”

In addition to the defense, what else changed for Gonzaga throughout the course of the season:

“Well I think we finally kind of settled on a solid rotation. And this is the first time that I can remember where about halfway through the year, it was almost like we had a new team because we were getting contributions from David Stockton and another freshman named Sam Dower, Marquise Carter — he was a junior college 1st Team All American and he was struggling the first half of the season — I mean, he starts coming on, he was the Newcomer of the Year in the conference, and he was MVP of the conference tournament last night.  So from January on, we were getting these great contributions from guys that maybe weren’t doing much early. And then we still have the usual suspects in Steven Gray and Rob Sacre and Elias Harris. So I think that’s as big a key as anything.”

If there’s one style of play that he wouldn’t want to face in the NCAA Tournament:

“Oh let’s see. That’s funny we were talking about that last night and there’s one thing that we haven’t faced yet, and I think we’ll be fine against it we just haven’t seen it, is one of those teams that presses you for 40 minutes. We didn’t really face it even in any of our preseason games. So that’s kind of an unknown. We’ve played against a lot of zone this year, we’ve played against pressure-man, lately we’ve been dealing with the pack, you know where they kind of lay off guys and just kind of jam you inside. So we have not played against a Missouri or teams like that that just press and press and press and press. We have a week off, so what do you do with your guys? You kind of keep them in shape and keep working with them on things, but I’m all about trying to prepare them for something we haven’t seen yet this year.”

On the first step being getting his team out of Vegas and back to Spokane:

“We’re working on that, we’re working on that. We finally got a day and night to enjoy. We’ve been grinding here for about six months it feels like.”

Listen here to Few on The Scott Van Pelt Show with Ryen Russillo on ESPN Radio (interview begins at 27:25 mark)

In 1999, head coach Dan Monson and Gonzaga prototype quirky yet solid players Matt Santangelo and Richie Frahm led the team to a surprising Elite Eight appearance. Monson left the next season to coach Minnesota, but under current head coach Mark Few, the chain of eccentric stars has continued and Gonzaga has never looked back. The Bulldogs have made 11 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. With Few at the helm, they have won 80% of their games and are poised for another deep run in the tournament.

Mark Few joined the Dan Patrick Show to talk about expanding the tournament, one-and-done players, the “Mid-Major” label, and Adam Morrison’s game.

On the idea of expanding the tournament as encouraged by some other notable coaches (Jim Boeheim, Roy Williams, Tom Izzo, etc.):

“I’ve been kind of shocked. I really, really value those guys’ opinions, but I like the tournament the way it is right now. I think it’s an honor when that name flashes up there on Selection Sunday. It’s a sense of accomplishment and not everybody gets invited. Just think of the teams that are not going to make it this year. I think if we went to 96 you would totally lose that type of feeling and it would be so watered down that the regular season would not have as much importance. Obviously, I want job security. There is a tremendous amount of expectations and pressure up here to make the tournament, so if it did go to 96, that would probably make my job a lot easier. But, again think about what we are dealing with here down the stretch. Everyone is talking about well do you think they have enough wins or this is a big game. All the sudden you kind of lose that I think if we go the other direction.”

On one-and-done college players:

“We have had a lot of early entry guys and I don’t really have a problem with it. If given the opportunity to recruit a young man who wants to come to Gonzaga and play at Gonzaga and he’s good enough to leave after one year, I would certainly have no problem with it. We had Austin Daye for two years. If it’s a four year starter who averages five points a game and a rebound or a one-year guy who averages 25, I’ll take the one-year guy that averages 25. It’s never always like that though.”

On the “Mid-Major” label:

“I’ve always thought it was really hard to put Gonzaga in a box. We always want to put something in a box and it’s really hard to put Gonzaga in a box. We don’t schedule like a mid-major. We don’t travel like a mid-major. Our success has transcended. We have been to 12 straight NCAA tournaments and have been ranked in the top-20 the whole time. I think it’s really difficult to box us into that genre.”

And on Dan Patrick’s admission to having a game like Adam Morrison (with better hair):

“Adam never took a charge here in three years so that tells me everything.”

Listen to Mark Few on the Dan Patrick Show

That’s right. I’m biased against Gonzaga because of the wispy-stached loser who ruined the Bobcats draft (GRANGER, man!). But Daye has less expectations because he was “only” the 15th pick and, in theory, won’t need to immediately start for the Pistons. But Detroit is obviously excited to have him and he’s excited to be there, which he talked about recently with WDFN, as well as adjusting to the NBA, having a father who played in the NBA and his expectations for Detroit fans. Sadly, no talk of Matt Stafford.

On the anticipation of the Draft:

“Yeah, it’s just a special opportunity and I was happy to be a part of it. You’re lucky enough to be in that elite group of guys in the green room, but you never know what’s going to happen in that type of situation and I was just lucky to be called and blessed to be called and I was happy to be a Detroit Piston that day.”

On the biggest adjustment to the NBA:

“I think the rigors of the 82 games and strength-wise — a lot of guys are in the peak of their physical ability and I just need to get close to that just to get through the 82 games because it’s a lot different than 35 in college. It’s a big adjustment.”

On having a father who played at the NBA helping his preparation:

“Yeah, I think that’s going to be a big help this year going into the season. Just because I have such an advantage, and mentally is as big a part of the game as it is physically. If you can’t remember a play, if you can’t get the right read in a situation, then you’re not a great player. I think having him around will help me out a lot in the long run and it’s already helped me out a lot in my career.”

On having a “number” where he would have pulled out of the draft:

“Yeah, I think it would have to have been 20′s, low 20′s. You don’t want to set yourself up for a shaky situation, especially in the NBA Draft. It’s such a coin flip that you never know what’s going to happen in certain situations — last year a lot of people were shook up that Russell Westbrook went fourth and it changed a lot of things. It was definitely in the low 20′s. But I made my decision and I’m happy where I’m at.”

On whether he’s researched Detroit fans:

“I talked to Joe Dumars and he said that … Detroit has the record for most consecutive home sellouts. And to sell that place out is a lot. I think that’s one of the biggest gyms in the country. And he told me how Detroit fans are so reliable — even though they had a bad season last year, things can only go up … and I think the community in general is only fanatics for their sports teams.

Listen to Austin Daye on WDFN in Detroit with Matt Sheppard

The Zags had a thrilling last second win over Western Kentucky, and used to be the media darlings of the NCAA tourney.  Now, they’ve become a bit of ‘the boy who cried wolf’ continually letting down their fans and the basketball public by failing to repeat their Elite Eight performance of 1998 against the eventual champion UConn Huskies.  Many people say they’re next opponent, North Carolina, will be this year’s NCAA champion.

Mark Few joined The Dan Patrick Show  to discuss the Zags and their match-up with the UNC Tar Heels.

On if he looks at what strengths his team will have to limit when playing the Tar Heels or weaknesses to exploit:

“A little bit of both.  I think we always try to cut tape for our guys of the real things that we have to at least try and lessen…obviously the transition game, which is going to be difficult to do, and their offensive rebounding which I think are two huge keys to what they do.”

On how he simulates Ty Lawson’s speed in practice:

“In the past that would have been a real problem.  We’ve got a little guy named Demetri Goodson who is probably the second fastest player in college basketball behind Ty Lawson.”

After the break more quotes from Mark Few and the full interview.

On why Gonzaga beating North Carolina will come as no surprise:

:Relatively the same cast of characters played two years ago in Madison Square Garden and we were able to win that one.  I  don’t think it’s a situation where our guys are intimidated or anything like that.  They’re a great team and if you look at all 16 teams and everyone plays at their top end, they win the tournament, but sometimes it doesn’t go like that.”

Listen to Gonzaga (#4 South Region) Head Coach Mark Few on the Dan Patrick Show

View South Region coverage on CBS Sportsline

View highlights of Gonzaga vs. Western Kentucky

Reason why #1 seed doesn’t make it to the Final Four:   If Ty Lawson isn’t close to a 100%, North Carolina is very beatable.  Roy Williams should rest him for at least the first game against Radford. 

Best bet in the first round:   Butler + 2 1/2 over LSU

Player I’m most looking forward to playing in the NBA:  Johnny Flynn.  I’m biased as a Syracuse grad, but I think he’s the best point guard in the country.  Deceptively strong with a better jumper than most point guards.  I hope he stays another year, but I doubt it.

Prediction for this bracket:  North Carolina, they’re just too deep.  However, if Lawson is still hobbled, I’ll go with Syracuse.  Sleeper pick would be Gonzaga.

Listen to North Carolina (#1) Head Coach Roy Williams on The Dan Patrick Show

Listen to Oklahoma (#2) Head Coach Jeff Capel on ESPN Radio with Tirico & Van Pelt

Listen to Syracuse (#3) Head Coach Jim Boeheim on KLAC with Chris Myers and Steve Hartman

Listen to Gonzaga (#4) Head Coach Mark Few on KTAR in Phoenix with Gambo & Ash

Listen to Illinois (#5) Head Coach Bruce Webber on WSCR in Chicago

Listen to Arizona State (#6) Head Coach Herb Sendek on KTAR in Phoenix with Doug & Wolf

Listen to Butler (#9) Head Coach Brad Stevens on 1070 the Fan in Indy with Bob Kravitz and Eddie White

Listen to Michigan (#10) Head Coach John Beilein on WTKA in Ann Arbor

Listen to Temple (#11) Head Coach Fran Dunphy on WIP in Philadelphia with Howard Eskin

Listen here to Western Kentucky (#12) Head Coach Ken McDonald on KTAR in Phoenix with Gambo & Ash

Listen here to Akron (#13 South) Head Coach Keith Dambrot on ESPN Radio Cleveland

Listen here to Stephen F. Austin (#14) Head Coach Danny Kaspar on ESPN Radio Syracuse

Listen to Morgan State (#15) Head Coach Todd Bozeman on WNST in Baltimore with Drew Forrester

Listen here to Radford (#16) head coach Brad Greenberg on KJR in Seattle